Emergency breathing device in combination with decorative display

ABSTRACT

An emergency breathing apparatus comprising an enclosure, a smoke detector and an alarm device operably disposed in the enclosure, and one or more emergency breathing devices having combination flashlight/beepers devices connected thereto also removably stored in the enclosure.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 08/291,719 filed Aug. 17, 1994.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention pertains to a device for providing air in emergencysituations, and particularly to a device which includes a decorativeand/or functional feature so that the device can be attractively locatedin any environment.

2. Description of the Relevant Art

Hall U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,387 discloses a breathing apparatus having amask operatively connected to a cylinder. Hall fails to disclose abreathing apparatus having a mouthpiece member for providing airflow tothe user thereof, and a decorative front portion foraesthetically-pleasing display thereof in a variety of locations.

Williamson U.S. Pat. No. 4,996,982 discloses a portable emergencybreathing apparatus having a mouthpiece, regulator, and air storagecontainer, but fails to disclose a breathing apparatus having adecorative front portion for open, inconspicuous display thereof in avariety of settings, and means for indicating its location in darkness.

Spergel U.S. Pat. No. 4,440,163 discloses an emergency breathingapparatus which attaches to an air cylinder, but fails to disclose anemergency breathing apparatus having a decorative front portion suitablefor tactful display in a variety of settings; and means for illuminatingthe device in darkness.

Hanson U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,561 discloses a helmet having an air supplycontainer attached thereto. Hanson fails to disclose an emergencybreathing apparatus which is adapted to be conveniently yetinconspicuously displayed in a variety of settings and which includes avisual indicator for easily locating the device in darkness.

Huang U.S. Pat. No. 5,243,972 discloses a portable mask which cooperateswith an oxygen tank for supplying oxygen thereto, but fails to disclosea breathing device which doubles at a home decoration when not in use,including a visual indicator for quickly identifying its location indarkness.

There are known portable aerosol inhalers which provide doses ofpressurized liquid medicine, such a Primatene® Mist Asthma Inhaler. Suchdevices fail to provide air or oxygen, are not suited as a homedecoration when not in use as a medicinal device, and do not includemeans for indicating its location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The terms "air" and "gas" as used herein are intended to mean anysubstance which can be safely breathed by a human being, including, butnot limited to oxygen, air oxygen-rich air, purified air, filtered air,and noxious or smoke-filled air from which noxious substances and/orsmoke have been substantially removed.

The invention provides a device being a simple and effective means forsupplying air or oxygen in emergency situations, and being usable as ahome-like decoration when not used as a breathing device.

A first embodiment provides a breathing apparatus for emergencysituations, including a storage container having air or oxygen underpressure; a mouthpiece which is connected to the air container; anactuator which cooperates with the air container and the mouthpiece toselectively permit fluid communication therebetween; a decorative frontsurface for allowing the device to be conveniently located in a widevariety of settings, and audio and visual elements for easyaccessibility of the device in a dark or smoke-filled environment.

In an emergency, the mouthpiece is inserted into the user's mouth, andair is discharged from the pressurized air container by activating theactuator. The device is preferably, but not necessarily, held in placesolely by the mouthpiece, thereby leaving the hands substantially freefor other emergency-related acts. The activation of airflow from thedevice is initiated by finger or mouth movement of the actuator. Air oroxygen is discharged from the container in a substantially continuousflow, or in bursts having predetermined duration and/or frequency.

When not in use in an emergency, the device is preferably decorativelysituated in virtually any setting, by resting the device on a horizontalsurface or by suspending it along a vertical surface so that itsdecorative front portion is in view. In one embodiment, the deviceslidably receives a picture or photograph for display. The devicepreferably includes audio and visual indicating means for quicklylocating the device in a dark or smoke-filled environment, as well asguiding rescue personnel to a user in need.

When the pressure level within the container is low, the container maybe refilled or optionally replaced by removing it from the actuator andmouthpiece assembly.

It is an object of the invention to provide an emergency breathingapparatus which is simple in design and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object is to provide such an apparatus having means fordischarging air or oxygen from a storage container simply and quicklywithout substantial manipulation thereof by the user's hands.

Another object is to provide a breathing apparatus having anaesthetically pleasing exterior which is easily accessible.

Another object is to provide a breathing apparatus having audio andvisual means for indicating the location thereof in darkness.

Other objects, advantages and salient features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description, which,when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferredembodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a top elevational view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of another embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows the FIG. 5 embodiment with the front door swung open.

FIG. 7 shows the FIG. 5 embodiment with the door removed.

FIG. 8 shows a back view of the FIG. 5 embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a composite instructional drawing showing the manner ofextracting and using the air-purifying masks shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 shows a canister alternative to the mask device shown in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-4 shows an emergency breathing apparatus 60 including container1, mouthpiece 2, actuator 3, and front section 4. The apparatus ispreferably, but not necessarily, constructed from sturdy yet lightweightmaterials, such as molded plastic, aluminum, fiberglass, or acombination thereof. Container 1, mouthpiece 2, actuator 3, and frontsection 4 may preferably, but not necessarily, be integrally connectedtogether to form a unitary member.

Container 1 is preferably, but not necessarily, constructed toeffectively store air, oxygen, oxygen-rich air, or filtered air, underpressure. Container 1 has a port assembly actuator 3 for charging and/ordischarging the container. Such port assembly preferably but notnecessarily includes a sealing valve member 11 which is positionedwithin the port assembly to selectively control the opening of container1.

Alternatively, container 1 may include means 12 for filtering (smoke orother undesirable substances) from the surrounding air, and forproviding purified air to the user. Inlet device 13 permits the ambientair to flow into means 12 where the air is filtered and purified.

As a further alternative, the container 1 may include means 12 whichgenerates oxygen and/or oxygen-rich air by way of a chemical or acombined chemical plus physical reaction. Oxygen and/or oxygen-rich aircan be obtained by various known reactions. Such reaction may beactivated by the user pressing a reaction-activation device 14.

The invention includes mouthpiece 2 and actuator 3, as shown in FIGS. 1and 3. Mouthpiece 2 preferably but not necessarily comprises asubstantially tubular portion which extends outwardly from container 1,having an opening at end thereof for insertion into the user's mouth. Asecond end of mouthpiece 2 operatively attaches over the mouth portionof container 1. Alternatively, a mask is operatively attached tocontainer 1 and adapted to fit over a user's nose and mouth region.

Actuator 3 preferably but not necessarily may include means forselectively discharging pressurized air, oxygen, oxygen-rich air, orfiltered air from container 1 without requiring substantial manipulationof the breathing device by the user's hands. Such discharging meansincludes means, connected to the sealing valve member of container 1,for selectively switching the sealing valve member between a firstposition in which the sealing valve substantially seals the opening ofcontainer 1, and a second position in which the sealing valve allows airto pass therethrough. Such switching means, which toggles the sealingvalve member of container 1 between the first (closed) and second (open)positions, is preferably activated by hand or mouth movements of theuser, such as by activating switch by finger applied pressure, or byblowing into or biting into mouthpiece 2. In this way, the only manualmanipulation of the breathing device necessary to discharge of gastherefrom is by a quick and simple act to initiate the discharge.

When the sealing valve member of container 1 is switched into the openposition, gas is preferably discharged from container 1 having apredetermined, substantially continuous flow which provides a sufficientair supply to the user without prematurely discharging the entirecontents thereof. The size of container 1 and the relationship betweenthe sealing valve and the opening thereof is such that an adequatesupply of air or oxygen is supplied to mouthpiece 2 for a period ofseveral minutes or longer.

The invention may be used in a variety of settings, such as in hotels,motels, airplanes, trains, buses, ships, single family dwellings, orhigh-rise office buildings. Because the nature of each setting requiresthe breathing device to provide safe breathable air for differentdurations, container 1 may have a variety of sizes.

Air or oxygen is preferably, but not necessarily, substantiallycontinuously discharged from container 1 until the pressure differencebetween container 1 and the atmosphere is substantially the same; oruntil the user switches the sealing valve member from the open to theclosed position via finger or mouth control of actuator 3; or until thefiltering means ceases to function; or until said reaction is no longercapable of occurring.

Alternatively, the structural relationship between actuator 3 andsealing valve member may be such that air is discharged from container 1in bursts having predetermined duration. The invention may include abattery-operated electronic means 15, connected to the sealing valvemember, for controlling the duration of each burst and the time periodtherebetween for prolonged yet safe operation. Such electronic controlmeans 15 preferably but not necessarily includes a pre-programmed orprogrammable timer for providing electrical control signals to anelectromechanical sealing valve member. In this instance, the activationof the breathing apparatus is initiated and concluded simply byoperating a switch located along the side thereof.

The invention may additionally include means for removably attachingactuator 3 and mouthpiece 2 to container 1. Such removable attachingmeans allows container 1 to be either refilled or disposed of andreplaced when the pressure level therein is low. In a preferredembodiment, the actuator 3 and mouthpiece 2 slide over the mouth portionof container 1. In an alteratively embodiment, mouthpiece 2 threadinglyengages with container 1.

The invention may also include a decorative front portion which servesas an aesthetically-pleasing home-like decoration so that the inventioncan be conveniently located in a variety of settings. As shown in FIGS.1-4, front portion 4 preferably but not necessarily comprises a pictureframe having border member 5 and transparent portion 6. Alternatively,front portion 4 may include or comprise another decoration.

The frame portion of front portion 4 may have any of a variety ofshapes, such as rectangular or oval-shaped, but preferably the frame issized so that container 1, mouthpiece 2, and actuator 3 aresubstantially unobservable when the device is viewed along a front viewthereof. The decorative front portion of the device having such a framesize relative to container 1, mouthpiece 2, and actuator 3 allows thedevice to be located in virtually any setting fashionably andtastefully, thus improving its availability and accessibility in timesof an emergency by openly maintaining the breathing device is areas nearpeople. Front portion 4 of the breathing apparatus preferably but notnecessarily includes means for slidably receiving a picture orphotograph. As shown in FIG. 3, front portion 4 includes elongated slot7 defined longitudinally along front portion 4. The length and width ofslot 7 are preferably but not necessarily substantially comparable tothe corresponding dimensions of front portion 4, and the depth of slot 7is preferably sized to receive a photograph or picture in asubstantially fixed position therein.

Front portion 4, mouthpiece 2, and actuator 3 are preferably but notnecessarily integrally formed as a unitary member, such as being formedfrom molded plastic.

The invention includes means for visually indicating its location in adark or smoke-filled environment. Such visual indicating meanspreferably but not necessarily comprises an outer portion of theapparatus being constructed from luminescent material so as tosubstantially flow in the dark following exposure to a light source. Theluminescent portion of the breathing apparatus preferably includes oneor more of border 5 of front portion 4, container 1, or mouthpiece 2.

Alternatively, the visual indicating means of the breathing apparatusmay include light bulb 8, which is positioned along border 5 of frontportion 4 (FIG. 4), or along a side portion of actuator 3. Light bulb 8is preferably selectively activated by a switch located along a sideportion of container 1. For light bulb 8 to function in substantiallyany location, light bulb 8 is preferably powered by a battery 9, whichis disposed along an under portion or back portion of the breathingapparatus. In another embodiment, the breathing apparatus includeselectrical means connected to light bulb 8 for selectively insertingwithin an electrical outlet to provide power to light bulb 8, and forsuspending the breathing apparatus therealong.

The apparatus may include means for generating a sound in the event ofan emergency. The sound generating means preferably but not necessarilymay comprise an electronic sound generator 10 which selectivelyautomatically generates a relatively loud series of sounds, such as aseries of beeping sounds. Sound generator 10 is preferably but notnecessarily activated by a switch and powered by a battery 9. Uponactivation of the sound generating means by the user, firepersons orother rescue personnel can more quickly and easily locate the user ofthe device. If the breathing device becomes separated from the user, theuser can quickly find it due to its sound generating means.

The device preferably includes a strap which is attached to the deviceand is adapted to facilitate the suspension thereof when the device isin use as a emergency breathing device. The strap is preferably but notnecessarily elastic so that it aids in supporting the device in thebreathing position for substantially any sized user. The strap allow theuser to easily locate the breathing device in the event mouthpiece 2 ofthe device becomes dislodged from the user's mouth.

In use as a breathing device in an emergency, the open end of mouthpiece2 is inserted into the user's mouth. Next, actuator 3 is activated by athe user's finger or mouth, which initiates fluid communication betweenmouthpiece 2 and container 1 by switching the sealing valve member ofcontainer 1 into the open position. Such establishment of fluidcommunication causes the gas to be discharged from container 1 intomouthpiece 2, thus discharging a safe breathable gas from container 1into the user's respiratory system.

In one embodiment, air is discharged substantially continuously, whereasin another embodiment the gas is discharged in a controlled series ofperiodic bursts. When it is no longer necessary to discharge gas fromthe breathing apparatus, actuator 3 is deactivated, thereby switchingthe sealing valve member of container 1 into the closed or sealedposition. Sound generating means 10 is selectively activated to producea series of audio signals for indicating its location thereof in adverseconditions.

When not actively used in an emergency, the breathing device can belocated in a wide variety of settings by placing a photograph or picturewithin slot 7 and either resting the device on a horizontal surface,hanging the device along a wall, or plugging an electrical receptacleportion thereof in an electrical outlet.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment comprising a housing 20 having a doorplate 21 hingedly affixed thereto. The door plate 21 is provided with atamper proof seal 22 which is easily broken by the user.

The door plate 21 is provided with a receptacle 23 for a photo 24, suchas a hotel logo. The door plate 21 may also be provided with a cut-outfront logo 25 which is illuminated from behind by way of LEDs 26 to showthe name of the manufacturer by its logo 25. The door plate 21 may alsobe provided with a "Smoke Mask" symbol 27 which is also illuminated, aswell as a clock 28.

FIG. 6 shows the FIG. 5 embodiment with the door plate 21 swung open toreveal four emergency breathing masks 29 in sealed pouches 30 with pulltabs 31. These masks 29 are capable of filtering and purifyingsmoke-filled air to provide a safe, breathable substance to the user.

FIG. 6 also shows the LEDs 26 for the front logo as well as the LEDs 32for the "Smoke Mask" symbol 27. The unit may be provided a message 34such as "Don Masks" and "Exit", which message 34 can be illuminatedthrough the wall by internal LEDs. The apparatus may be located near anexit door, but need not necessarily be placed there.

Optionally, the enclosure 20 may also contain a plurality offlashlight/beeper devices 35 which when turned "ON" will illuminate aswell as send out an audible signal. Optionally, such flashlight/beeperdevices 35 may be affixed to or be unitary with associated masks 29.

FIG. 7 shows the enclosure 20 with the door 21 removed to display thecompartment 36 within which the mask 29/pouches 30 may be disposed withor without flashlight/beeper devices 35. There is also shown in FIG. 7the compartment 37 for the detector/alarm electronics.

FIG. 8 shows the detector/alarm electronics with the smoke detector 38and alarm circuitry 33 energized by appropriate electrical batteries.Alternatively, the power may be supplied by a line cord which is pluggedin. FIG. 8 also shows the vents 39 which are useful in the smokedetection process.

FIG. 9 illustrates a sequence of steps for opening, extracting and usingthe masks 29 which are preferably kept in sealed pouches 30. For thesake of simplicity and understanding, FIG. 9 is illustrated without aflashlight/beeper device 35 affixed to the mask 29.

As an alternative to the masks 29 described above, there may be used aplurality of the devices 60 described hereinabove in connection withFIGS. 1-4.

As a further alternative to the masks 29 discussed hereinabove, theremay be used a plurality of the devices 50 shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 10shows a device 50 having a hood 51, a nose clip 52, a mouthpiece 53, acanister or filter casing 54, and draw strings 55. These components mayoptionally be heat resistant to levels beyond which the human body canwithstand. The FIG. 10 device 50 supplies filtered or purified air tothe user.

Although there have been described what are at present considered to bepreferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understoodthat the invention can be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential characteristic thereof.

The described embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in allaspects as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the inventionis indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription.

I claim:
 1. An emergency breathing apparatus, comprising:an enclosure; asmoke detector and an alarm device operably disposed in said enclosure;one or more emergency breathing devices removably stored in saidenclosure; one or more combination flashlight/beeper devices removablystored in said enclosure; and each said combination flashlight/beeperdevice is connected to an associated one of said emergency breathingdevices.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:each saidemergency breathing device includes means for generating oxygen and/oroxygen-rich air by way of a chemical or a combined chemical/physicalreaction.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:each saidemergency breathing device includes means for removing noxioussubstances including smoke from surrounding air to produce a safebreathable substance.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:eachof said one or more emergency breathing devices includes a hood member,a nose clip, and a mouthpiece member.
 5. An apparatus according to claim1, wherein:each of said one or more emergency breathing devices includesa hood member.